A former operations manager at Midamar Corp. who was fired in 2012 has been cooperating with federal prosecutors as part of a plea deal that may keep him out of prison. The Associated Press reports that Phil Payne, formerly with Midamar and now an employee of Iowa Premium Beef, has told prosecutors he participated in efforts to export beef to Indonesia and Malaysia that did meet those countries’ requirements.
Payne pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to make and deliver false certificates and writings, marking the first conviction in the federal government’s lengthy investigation of Midamar. Two other charges will be deferred under a pretrial diversion agreement with Payne. Midamar’s founder, William Aossey, and his two sons have been charged with several charges related to misleading export practices.